The 29-year-old man was charged with killing Sheng Vang in 2004 after a history of violence. He was convicted in Ramsey County in 2006 and sentenced to life in prison.

However, the case went through lengthy appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court sent the case back to the trial court in 2010. A new trial won’t be necessary as he confessed to the crime in court on Thursday.

Moua Her’s family members at the hearing declined to comment to the newspaper.